The 25-year-old left the youth ranks of his home-town club to move to Catalunya back in 2000, and despite his phenomenal success in the Blaugrana jersey, he admits he hopes to be given the chance to represent the Rosario outfit in future.

"I don't know when it will be, but I will go back because it's what I want," he told ESPN.

When asked why he wanted to move back to play for Newell's, Messi admitted: "Because I never did. And I want to play in Argentinian football because of what it means. I really don't know what will happen [in the future]."

Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona last month, keeping him tied down to the club until 2018, by which time he will be 31.

There is some speculation that the attacker may choose to move on from Camp Nou when his current deal with the club runs out.